Bruno Márquez

Bruno Daniel Márquez Albarrán (born 21 September 1990) is a Mexican professional gridiron football quarterback for the Raptors Naucalpan of the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA). He was named the league most valuable player (MVP) in 2017 and 2019.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Márquez and the second or maternal family name is Albarrán.
Bruno Márquez
Márquez (left) in 2017.
No. 12 – Raptors Naucalpan
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1990-09-21) 21 September 1990
Mexico City, Mexico
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Career information
College:UNAM
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× LFA MVP (2017, 2019)
  • 2× LFA passing touchdowns leader (2017, 2019)
  • 4× LFA passing yards leader (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
LFA records
  • Most career passing touchdowns
  • Most career passing yards
  • Most passing touchdowns in a season

College career

Márquez played his college football with Pumas CU, representing the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) from 2009 to 2013. In 38 career games, he completed 447 of 664 passes for 6,910 yards and 73 touchdowns.[1]

After serving as a backup in his first seaoson, he assumed the starting role during his second year after a series of injuries to the veteran quarterbacks,[2] leading them to an ONEFA national championship.[3] He was also instrumental in their first win against Auténticos Tigres UANL in 10 years, tossing two touchdowns in their 38–22 victory earlier that year.[4][5] In 2011, Márquez threw four touchdowns in the Pumas' 44–24 win over bitter rivals Águilas Blancas,[6] but they lost in the national championship game to Auténticos Tigres UANL by a score of 16–15.[7] In 2012, Márquez passed for 123 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in the 28–10 derby victory over Águilas Blancas.[8] However, his team lost to Auténticos Tigres UANL in the championship game for the second year in a row,[9] after beating them in the regular season.[10] Márquez was named ONEFA offensive player of the year at the Cascos de Oro (Golden Helmets) ceremony.[11] In 2013, Márquez had a six-touchdown game against Linces UVM and threw for over 900 yards in the first three games of the season.[12] He finished the regular season with 2,015 passing yards and 23 touchdowns,[13] and won his second national championship with Pumas CU by passing for two touchdowns in their 28–16 defeat of Auténticos Tigres UANL in the title game at the Estadio Gaspar Mass.[14] He was subsequently named the Eduardo "Pocho" Herrera ONEFA player of the year after throwing for 29 touchdowns and only two interceptions in the regular season and playoffs combined.[15][16]

After his fifth and final year of eligibility, Márquez expressed that he had no interest in continuing his football career and that he would instead look for work related to his marketing degree.[17]

Professional career

Condors CDMX

When the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA) was announced in early 2016 as a four-team professional spring league, Márquez was announced as one of the league's first players along with former Águilas Blancas quarterback Raúl Mateos.[16][18] He joined Condors CDMX for the 2016 season, and threw two touchdowns in their historic 30–28 win over Mateos and his Eagles squad on opening weekend.[19] However, that would be their only win of the season as injuries derailed the team and they finished with a 1–5 record.[20] Márquez was the league leader in passing yards (1,292), completions (121), and completion percentage (60.2%).[21] He also threw seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.[22]

Raptors Naucalpan

Márquez was hesitant to return for a second season due to the hits he took but decided to come back with the Raptors Naucalpan in 2017.[23] They defeated his former team, Condors, by a score of 13–10 in the first game of the season.[24] The following week he set a new LFA record by throwing five touchdowns in their 34–27 win against Dinos Saltillo.[25] Overall he led them to a 5–2 record before they were upset by Dinos Saltillo in the first round of the playoffs.[26] He was named league MVP after throwing for 1,543 yards and 15 touchdowns, both league-leading numbers.[2]

The Raptors saw a dip in team performance during the 2018 season, going 3–4 with Márquez at the helm. They started the year out with two promising blowout victories, a 32–0 win over defending champions Mayas CDMX followed by a 46–26 win over the Condors,[27][28] before being blown out themselves by Fundidores Monterrey in week 3.[29] That was the beginning of a four-game losing streak, and they were only able to salvage the last regular season game, also against Fundidores Monterrey, to sneak into the playoffs.[30] Márquez threw two touchdowns in their 21–6 defeat of Dinos Saltillo in the semifinals, winning the North Division title and a berth in Tazón México III.[31] However, the Raptors came up short in the title game, losing 17–0 to Mexicas CDMX.[32] On the season, Márquez completed 162 of 261 passes for 1,882 yards and 17 touchdowns, along with three rushing touchdowns.[33]

In 2019, Márquez was able to improve the Raptors' record to 6–2, leading them to their second North Division title in three years.[34] He opened the season with a five-touchdown performance in their 48–12 win over new expansion team Osos Toluca.[35] The Raptors suffered their first loss in week 3 to Fundidores Monterrey; Márquez's three touchdowns were not enough in the 31–21 defeat.[36] They lost their following game against two-time champions Mayas CDMX before rallying to win the last three games of the year. In the semifinals, the Raptors defeated Fundidores Monterrey 53–47 in an overtime thriller for the division title.[37] However, they fell short in the final once again, losing Tazón México IV to Condors CDMX by a score of 20–16.[38] Márquez won his second MVP award after a historic season, breaking the 2,000-yard mark for the first time ever with 2,344 along with a league-best 18 touchdowns and five interceptions.[39]

Márquez threw two touchdowns in their 13–5 win over Mexicas CDMX in the 2020 season opener.[40] However, he injured his hand in the game and was replaced by Canadian import Graham Kelly as the starter in their week 2 matchup against league newcomers Pioneros Querétaro.[41][42] He made his return in week 4 against Osos Toluca,[43] but the season was suspended soon thereafter due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico.[44]

International career

While in college, Márquez was called up to the Mexican national team for the 2011 IFAF World Championship in Austria by head coach Raúl Rivera, who doubled as Pumas CU head coach.[45]

Awards and honors

Individual
  • 2× LFA Most Valuable Player (2017, 2019)
  • LFA Offensive Player of the Year (2019)
  • LFA Ideal Team (2019)
  • 2× LFA passing touchdowns leader (2017, 2019)
  • 4× LFA passing yards leader (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
  • ONEFA Central Conference Player of the Year (2013)
  • 2× ONEFA Central Conference Offensive Player of the Year (2011, 2012)

Team
  • 3× LFA North Division champions (2018, 2019)
  • 2× ONEFA national champions (2010, 2013)

Personal life

The son of Enrique Márquez and Ángeles Albarrán, he attributes his love for the sport to his older brother (also named Enrique), who would make the younger Bruno throw him the football in the backyard in their childhood.[16] Enrique went on to be one of the best wide receivers in Mexican college football history, playing his last season with Pumas CU in 2008.[1][16]

References
  1. "Anuario Pumas Universidad 2014" (in Spanish). Issuu. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  2. "Del retiro al MVP y la búsqueda del campeonato". El Universal (in Spanish). 23 February 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  3. Moreno, Fernando (16 May 2019). "Márquez analiza su retiro tras caer en dos finales con los Raptors". ContraRéplica (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  4. "PUMAS CU TERMINÓ CON RACHA DE 10 AÑOS SIN VENCER A LOS AUTÉNTICOS TIGRES DE LA UANL". Boletín UNAM (in Spanish). Dirección General de Comunicación Social. 18 September 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  5. Iglesias, Jorge (18 September 2010). "Pumas CU vence a los Auténticos Tigres de la UANL" (in Spanish). Dirección General del Deporte Universitario. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  6. "Pumas ganó el clásico al Poli". ESPN (in Spanish). 18 September 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  7. "Tigres 16-15 Pumas CU... Auténticos, Campeón de la ONEFA". Medio Tiempo (in Spanish). 5 November 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  8. Islas, Armando (24 September 2012). "Pumas CU mantuvo hegemonía sobre Águilas Blancas" (in Spanish). Dirección General del Deporte Universitario. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  9. "Auténticos Tigres bicampeón de ONEFA, ganan 34-20 a UNAM". Medio Tiempo (in Spanish). 10 November 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  10. García Estrada, Ricardo (23 October 2012). "'Aún aspiramos al título': Bruno Márquez". pitlane.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  11. "Bloqueo 2 vs. 1". pitlane.mx (in Spanish). 20 April 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  12. "Bruno Márquez, comandante de la mejor ofensiva" (in Spanish). Dirección General del Deporte Universitario. 25 September 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  13. Rosas, Fernando (6 November 2013). "Pumas CU y Auténticos Tigres por el campeonato en los Ocho Grandes de ONEFA". Vavel (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  14. "Auténticos Tigres 16-28 Pumas CU... ¡Goya al Campeón!". Medio Tiempo (in Spanish). 9 November 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  15. "Bloqueo 2 vs. 1". pitlane.mx (in Spanish). 22 August 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  16. "Bruno Márquez dirige la ofensiva de los Raptors". Ecos del Estado (in Spanish). 14 February 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  17. "No piensa Bruno Márquez en seguir ligado al futbol americano". 20 minutos (in Spanish). 15 December 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  18. Muciño, Christian (13 January 2016). "Presentan oficialmente la Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional de México". Vive los Deportes (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  19. Rodarte, Ernesto (21 February 2016). "Condors inician su vuelo". Agencia JRF (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  20. "Lesiones mermaron metas de Condors en temporada". Medio Tiempo (in Spanish). 3 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  21. @LFAmex (7 May 2019). "‼️VIEJO CONOCIDO‼️🏈🦖 @Brunoum13 inició su carrera en la #LFA como QB de @CondorsLFA😯A pesar de sólo haber obtenido un triunfo (1-5) sus números fueron destacados. #TMIV @CondorsLFA VS @RaptorsLFA #EstoEsLFA #may12" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via Twitter.
  22. Cruz, Abigail (27 August 2019). "Condors el camino de un campeón" (in Spanish). Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  23. "Una versión diferente con Raptors". Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  24. Briones, Jorge (19 February 2017). "Nuevos records en la segunda semana de LFA". esto.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  25. "Nuevos records en la segunda semana de LFA" (in Spanish). Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional. 28 February 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  26. "Mayas superaron a Eagles y Dinos a Raptors en semifinales de LFA". ESPN (in Spanish). 23 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  27. "Raptors manhandle defending champion Mayas in their first game of LFA season in Mexico". American Football International. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  28. "Mexico: Raptors roll to 2-0, manhandle Condors in Liga de Futbol Americano". American Football International. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  29. "Mexico: Fundidores crush Raptors in 3rd week of play in Liga de Futbol Americano Profesional de Mexico". American Football International. 4 March 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  30. Hernández, Adrián (8 August 2019). "Raptors amarra el último pase a postemporada". Vavel (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  31. "Raptors advance to Tazón México III, beat Dinos". American Football International. 15 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  32. Cruz, Michel (22 April 2018). "Mexicas blanquea a Raptors y gana el Tazón México III". Milenio (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  33. "Mexico: Liga de Futbol Americano Profesional kicks off – North Division Preview". American Football International. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  34. Verde, Carlos (10 May 2019). "Welcome to the Mexico Bowl". American Football International. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  35. "Raptors aplasta a Osos en semana inaugural de LFA". Milenio (in Spanish). 23 February 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  36. "Gran regreso de Fundidores para terminar con invicto de Raptors". Máximo Avance (in Spanish). 11 March 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  37. Mayén, Fernanda (28 April 2019). "Los Raptors apagan la llama de los Fundidores" (in Spanish). Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  38. "Condors vence a Raptors y se lleva el Tazón México IV". Milenio (in Spanish). 12 May 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  39. Hernández, Adrián (9 May 2019). "Previa Final LFA Condors - Raptors: por el Tazón México IV". Vavel (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  40. "Raptors derrota a Mexicas en partido inaugural de LFA". Milenio (in Spanish). 8 February 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  41. Hodge, John (14 October 2020). "Drugs, COVID-19 & smash mouth football: five Canadians share their experiences in the LFA". 3DownNation. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  42. "Raptors vencen 19-02 a Pioneros en la LFA". Así Sucede (in Spanish). 16 February 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  43. "Osos Toluca fue presa de sus propios errores y cayó ante Raptors". Diario Portal (in Spanish). 2 March 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  44. "Mexico's Liga De Futbol Americano (LFA) suspends football". American Football International. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  45. "Definida la selección mexicana (ONEFA)". pitlane.mx (in Spanish). 27 June 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
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